| Authors: | Gbordzoe, Seyram; Yarmolenko, Sergey; Kanakaraj, Sathya; Haase, Mark R.; Alvarez, Noe T.; Borgemenke, Ryan; Adusei, Paa Kwasi; Shanov, Vesselin |
| Title: | Effects of laser cutting on the structural and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube assemblages |
| Type: | Journal Article |
| Publisher: | Materials Science and Engineering: B |
| Year: | 2017 |
| Volume: | 223 |
| Issue: | |
| Start Page: | 143 |
| End Page: | 152 |
| DOI: | https//.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2017.06.010 |
| Abstract: | Multiple applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) require their assembly into macroscopic materials: films, sheets, and ribbons. Most of these macro-materials are flexible thin structures and need to be cut to micrometer dimensions. Laser cutting has emerged as one of the best pressure-free alternative methods, providing accuracy and uniformity. We report on the effect of laser cutting on the structural and mechanical properties of CNT sheet assemblages. Laser cutting forms a significant and deleterious amount of amorphous carbon at and near the cut edge, and this was observed by Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The damage can have adverse effects on the physical properties of CNTs and applications based on them. Laser cutting at high power was found to reduce the tensile strength of CNT sheets by as much as 75%. Nevertheless, at smaller cut widths, the mechanical properties were affected irrespective of the laser power. |
| Keywords: | Carbon nanotubes, Laser damage, Amorphous carbon, Heat-affected zone, Kerf width |
| File: | (3419K) |
